Asia Society Texas works with high school and university interns each semester through our Regions Bank Young Leaders Internship program. Under this program, we have partnered with various high schools and universities in the Greater Houston area to provide opportunities for students to engage with the broad swath of programs offered by Asia Society and learn more about nonprofit operations. Interns have worked in program development, research and curriculum-writing, outreach efforts, accounting and finance, and more. Through their time with Asia Society Texas, interns learn more about Asian art, history, and culture while gaining direct experience in a professional environment.

We'd like to shine a spotlight on one of our high school interns Melisa Sierra, from Houston Academy for International Studies, who works with our Education and Outreach department.

Learn a little more about Melisa and her internship experience below!

Quick Facts

Name: Melisa Sierra
School: Houston Academy for International Studies
Internship Duration: 2021 - 2022 academic year
Favorite project you’ve worked on during your internship: If I had to choose a favorite project, it would probably the research for Lunar New Year and the making of activities. Through this project’s preparation, I was able to learn a lot more about Asian traditions regarding Lunar New Year. I was also able to dive deeper to create culturally and historically correct activities to younger and older audiences.
Most interesting thing you’ve learned during your internship: I learned that networking and teamwork are the most important factors when working together.

Reflection

Something that made me want to intern at Asia Society was their hospitality towards the public and their way of approaching various topics to different people. I went to ASTX a few times as a school field trip and fell in love with the museum aspect of the building. As I began to intern, I was able to see different aspects of the organization. I am glad that I can expand my interest in Asian culture and history as I help create activities for people of all ages. I am happy working in smaller settings and learn more about collaboration skills.

Throughout my internship journey, I worked on various activities and presentations for the public and in-person events. I personally was taken aback as to how big scale events at Asia Society could be. I experienced Night Market from both perspectives, and it amazed me how big and known Asia Society is. As I intern here, I can connect with a different community, their ways of identification in Houston, and their similarities between my culture. I think that being able to connect with a different culture and experience certain things from their perspective is one of the most gratifying and unexpected outcomes from this internship.

Business and Policy programs are endowed by Huffington Foundation. We give special thanks to Bank of America, Muffet Blake, Anne and Albert Chao, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Nancy Pollok Guinee, and United Airlines, Presenting Sponsors of Business and Policy programs; Nancy C. Allen, Chinhui Juhn and Eddie Allen, and Leslie and Brad Bucher, Presenting Sponsors of Exhibitions; AARP, Sterling Turner Foundation, and Wells Fargo, Presenting Sponsors of Education & Outreach; Syamal and Susmita Poddar, Presenting Sponsors of Performing Arts & Culture; Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), Sponsor of the Japan Series; and Regions Bank, Title Sponsor for the internship program. General support of programs and exhibitions is provided by The Brown Foundation, Inc., Houston Endowment, Inc., the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance, McKinsey & Company, Inc., National Endowment for the Arts, Texas Commission on the Arts, and Vinson & Elkins LLP, as well as Friends of Asia Society.

Title Sponsor for Internship Program

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.